Tag archive for Telecom

The auction of the 700 MHz ‘digital dividend’ spectrum rights was completed in June, 14 months after the sale process commenced. This month, the purchasers have announced their plans to roll out new services based on that spectrum. The digital dividend band became available when…

Last week I introduced the muddy waters of broadband speed tests. What muddies the issue is that there is not a standardised methodology for speed test services and therefore, the results gathered are open to selective interpretation. A speedtest is important to consumers because it…

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The speed of our broadband connection matters. It matters to retail service providers (RSPs) in terms of promoting their services and in up-selling customers to a more expensive service. It matters to us, as customers of RSPs, in terms of service quality and in terms…

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A court in America made a ruling earlier this month that may affect our costs in using our internet. The court decision paves the way for Retail Service Providers (RSPs) to change their business pricing models in a way that will benefit some of their…

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Well it happened again on Sunday. Spam emails that is. A heap of them from a number of Telecom Xtra accounts. It has been a regular occurrence over the past year. Some get through my spam blocks. Over 90% do not. The ones that do…

Of the three major issues presently bugging our telecommunications industry, two have reached resolutions that offer good news for rural people and businesses. First is the auction of the 700MHz spectrum that becomes available for re-purposing when our analogue TV network closes down at the…

The auction process for the allocation of the ‘digital dividend’ 700MHz spectrum is expected to kick off on Labour Day. In a $200 million dollar plus process, there is much at stake for all parties. It is important for those rural people who rely on…

Broadband issues have figured in our news a lot this year. Much of that was centred on government reviews including those of the “Digital Dividend”, the Telecommunications Service Obligation (TSO), and the Telecommunications Act. One of the things common to each of these reviews, is…

In a move long trumpeted, the government have confirmed that the 700MHz digital dividend spectrum will be auctioned off to registered bidders. The announcement last week also confirms the loss of an opportunity to reduce the growing urban/rural digital divide. Instead, Amy Adams is enforcing…

Today I watched a video of Helen Clark’s presentation to last weekend’s Tedx Auckland show. Whatever you think of her politics, Helen’s achievements and thinking are outstanding and I admire her for that. In browsing related videos, I heard her comment on the GCSB ‘spying’ bill. “It’s best…